3 offseason moves Milwaukee Brewers must make after early playoff exit

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 21: Christian Yelich #22 and Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers look on during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 21, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 6-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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2. Decline Ryan Braun’s Option

Pre-pandemic, Braun hinted strongly that 2020 would be his final season. Then the shortened season came, and he was naturally more open to playing in 2021. Then the 36-year old was banged up before the season even started, and he never truly recovered (.233/.281/.488 slash-line, eight home runs, 26 RBI in 39 games).

The universal DH seemed ideal for Braun this year, then the Brewers put him in right field for 20 of his 39 games (19 starts). A struggle to stay healthy was certainly made harder by playing in the outfield more than half the time he was good enough to play.

Braun has a $15 million mutual option for next year, with a $4 million buyout. The Brewers definitely want the buyout after Braun’s career-worst season, and there’s a good chance they don’t circle back to bring him back at a cheaper rate.

Braun, even remembered for and tainted by a PED scandal, will go down as one of the all-time great Brewers. But his exit is nigh, and there’s no way he’s back for $15 million (and probably at all) in 2021.

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